It's hard to believe it's already the last weekend of July. These long hot days show us Summer is here for awhile, but the many Back to School events around the region remind us that the start of school is just around the corner.

Weekend's are a great time for families to experience things together and take advantage of the many great events throughout the region. Here are some of our favorite scheduled this weekend.

Friday July 28thSPIN in Murphysboro is sponsoring a FREE Fire Safety day from 12:00pm- 5:oo pm. Murphysboro fire safety officer Bobby Alexander will demonstrate by climbing up to great heights, he'll talk about fire saftey and let the kids try on the fireman uniform. Free meal.of grilled hots dogs, chips and soda will be provided.

Friday evening, bring your whole family out for free games, music, and food to the Back to School Bash in Carterville. Sponsored by the Love and Truth Church, the event will be held at the Carterville Community Center at 120 N Greenbrier from 6:00pm-9:00pm. There will be free school supplies and free basic haircut for kindergartners through seniors

Families in Harrisburg won't be thinking of school as they watch "the Goofy Movie: " beginning at 7:30 pm at Bill Trees Memorial Park Pool. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family. Back in Carbondale, It's going to be a beautiful evening for the monthly Fourth Friday Night Fair at the city's Town Square Pavillion. This month they will celebrate Americana with a Vintage Fashion Show by GeekBetty Vintage and More and Classic Cars! Music will be by Sarah Lannom and Hey Honey. As always, there will be kids' activities, a food court, merchandise vendors and BYOB. The Fair begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.

Saturday July 29th

Make today the day you decide to become an "outdoor family" and join others at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge for a "Geocaching Adventure" Bring the family to the Refuge's first B.O.F. Geocaching adventure . This FREE event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.

Another Back to School Bash is being held- this time in Marion. The Whiteash Freewill Baptist Church will be passing out 300 backpacks filled with school supplies for grades K-6th, and be passing out school supplies for 7th and 8th grade. Lunch and free haircuts will also be available. . Everyone is welcome and a ticket is required to get the backpack/school supplies. They will be passing out tickets for the school supplies beginning at 10:30. Children must be present to receive backpack or school supplies.

If your kids love Superheroes, Princesses or special characters it will be worth the drive to take them to Paducah's 2nd Annual Pretty Super Meet and Greet. The FREE event runs from 10am- 4pm .Families are encouraged to stop at the gazebo located at 2nd Street and Broadway to pick up a free autograph book with a pen while supplies last. There will be over 3 dozen costumed characters including Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter, Batman, Belle, Captain America, Captain Hook, Captain Jack Sparrow, Cat Woman, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Dead Pool, Elsa and Anna, Fairy Queen Nyla, Iron Patriot, Jasmine, Joker, Michaelangelo, Moana, Rapunzel, Peter Pan and Wendy, Pocahontas, Power Rangers, Snow White, Spider Man, Star Lord, Supergirl, Superman, Thor, Tiana,, Tinkerbell, and Wonder Woman. Several Wizard of Oz characters will be in the lobby of the Carson Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Other activities and kid friendly food are also available, some with a small charge

In Carbondale, check out Mommy and Me Yogabeginning at 11:00 am at Bella Sofia Threads . Cost is $15 and tickets are available online

The Valier Fire Department is hosting a Family Fun Day from 11am-6pm at the Valier Community Center. There will be food, inflatables, Dunk tank (dunk a firefighter for $5),Cornhole tournament ($20/team) and more. Bring the family and have a fun day at the Valier Family Fun Day!

Families expecting or having young babies are encouraged to attend the Baby's Best Start Fair at the University Mall in Carbondale Beginning at 1:00 pm, this FREE event offers family resources, medical supplies, infant development information, and car seat safety demos. Door prize drawing will be at 2:45PM!

Talented student actors from throughout the region make up the cast of Singing in the Rain at Mcleod Theater on SIUC's campus. The All Southern High School Theatre Project. celebrates its 20th anniverarys with this classic production. and promises a fun night for the entire family. Perfformances are schedule Saturday July 29 at 7:30 PM and Sunday July 30 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20 adult / $10 Student / $8 12 & under.

Your family can learn more about Night Sky Astronomy with Rend Lake College instructor, Greg Hollmann at the Rend Lake Visitor Center in Benton. Greg will point out the bright stars and constellations as he captures your attention with stories of ancient mythology and modern science that relate to the night sky. Participants will have the opportunity to make their own star wheel and view planets and stars through a telescope! This FREE program starts at 7:30 pm and is a program you don't want to miss!

Sunday July 30th

Family fun continues at the Bill Trees Memorial Park Pool in Harrisburg as community members "give back" sponsoring a FREE family swim from 1:00pm- 3:00pm. The event is free to all ages and concession will be open to purchase snacks. All park and pool rules apply.

Last, but not least, families are invited to attend the FREE Summer Pops Concert at John A Logan in Carterville. The John A. Logan College Community Band will perform a variety of music from jazz (Duke Ellington & Sonny Rollins) to classic rock (Chicago & Queen) to Hollywood (George Gershwin & John Williams). Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free Admission For more information contact Student Activities & Cultural Events at activities@jalc.edu or 618-985-2828 Ext. 8287.

These are just a few of our picks. Remember the events listed on the sifamilies.org calendar is always a "work in progress" and we strive to include as much information as possible to help keep your family strong. Enjoy your weekend - it is shaping up to be a GREAT one!